Trump faces political test in Ohio with state GOP vote on his handpicked Senate candidate

President Trump’s political influence faces a critical test Friday when the Ohio Republican Party votes to formally endorse Rep. Jim Renacci, his handpicked choice to challenge Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in November.

The outcome isn’t assured. Mike Gibbons, a wealthy first-time candidate, has been wooing grassroots Republicans for months, winning the endorsements of four county parties. He hoped to emerge as the presumptive nominee after Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel unexpectedly withdrew, but the GOP establishment, led by Trump, recruited and backed Renacci.

“Gibbons’ time investment on the ground is not to be ignored,” a Republican strategist active in Ohio told the Washington Examiner, on condition of anonymity in order to speak candidly and not run afoul of the White House. “Renacci — I bet he’s got his work cut out for him on this vote.”

The filing deadline to run for office in Ohio closed on Wednesday, about 12 weeks ahead of the May 8 primary.

Renacci has some catching up to do after shifting from the race for the Republican nomination for governor, where he was languishing, to the Senate race. His campaign spent its first month gathering petitions to meet the state’s filing requirements.